Ulster chief executive Johnny Petrie said the province's inconsistent performance this season had led to the departure of Dan McFarland. quit my role Last week, he was named head coach for the first time in almost six years.
With McFarland's departure, the team has lost three games in a row.
Assistant coach Dan Soper will be in charge for Saturday's game against the Dragons, while Ireland Under-20s coach Richie Murphy will be in charge for the rest of the season.
“Ultimately, we felt we needed to change the head coach,” Petry said.
“We've reached a point in recent weeks where we think it's the right thing to do. That's the nature of the game and it's disappointing.”
“These things are always difficult. I don't have anything bad to say about Dan. We've had a very good working relationship during his time at the club and we've done a huge amount of work during that time. During that time, it consistently ranked at the top of the URC and continued to advance in European competition.
“However, I am disappointed that I could not take the final step and win the silver medal.
“It's clearly having an impact. [financially] On the other hand [letting a coach go in the middle of the season]. I'm not going to elaborate on that. This is something we are working on in the background, but for financial or other reasons, these are decisions that cannot be taken lightly. We decided it was the right path for us. ”
“Bringing out the best from a talented team”
Ulster's rollercoaster season so far has been a mix of heartening wins and heartbreaking defeats, with them currently sitting eighth in the URC standings.
In the pool stage of the Investec Champions Cup, they failed to advance to the round of 16 in the final round in Europe with 4 wins and 3 losses, falling to the second division Challenge Cup, where they will face Montpellier in April.
“This year, some instability has started to creep in and we had some very good ones against the likes of Racing and Leinster, but we need to see improved performance and more consistency until the end of the season. I know,” Petrie explained.
“We've got a really good team, we'll just bring out the best in them. We're below target, but there's still time to get it right again.
“The league is still incredibly close and we are still in European competition, albeit in a Challenge Cup rather than a Champions Cup.
“I'd like to think we still have a chance to be in a good position and I'm sure we'll see a good response not just this weekend but for the rest of the season.”
“Hard financial environment”
Mr Petrie admitted Ulster's financial situation was difficult and some players were likely to leave the province at the end of the campaign.
“There's obviously going to be a shake-up of the squad for next season, but that happens at every club. I'm not shy about the fact that we're operating in a pretty tough financial environment.
“We need to make sure we have a competitive team on the back end and that will drive us forward.
“We want to be at the top level of European rugby, as we have been for the past five seasons or so.
“I’m looking forward to it, I’m excited, the club is excited, the players are excited for Richie.” [Murphy] He has a very good track record in the U-20 national team of getting the best out of a very young group of players. That's certainly what we want to see here in Ulster. ”
“Everyone was surprised.”
Speaking at Monday's Ulster Rugby press conference, Soper admitted it had been an uneasy week for the group.
“It's been a bit of a traumatic week and it's taken everyone by surprise. It's never easy, and I think it was for all of us.” [surprised it happened mid-season].
“I talked to Dan. I've worked with him for almost six years, and when you work with him in that environment for that long, you get closer to the person.
“Dan is a realist and he's obviously disappointed that things ended the way they did, but he just wants to see us continue to progress.”
